We’re growing in stature with every outing

The disappointment of the probable loss of his captain and first-choice keeper Donal Óg Cusack was tempered somewhat for Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy by the display of his new-look side.

“I’m delighted. I said at the start of the league we wanted to develop a panel of players, have competition for places and we have managed to do that right through the league,” he said. “I think today proved that we have players on the bench who were able to come in and start.”

Cork had been forced into a number of changes from the side that had drawn with Tipperary two weeks ago in the final round of the league, Brian Murphy and Cathal Naughton both injured, exam-tied youngsters Conor Lehane and Darren Sweetnam rested, though both came on late in the game and made an instant impression.